Sequoia sempervirens (California Redwood)

“Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as California or Coast Redwood,  is an evergreen, long-lived, elegant evergreen tree.

Whilst native to California, it grows well in Ireland and is suited to parkland and the larger Irish garden.

Should be planted and set in well drained but moist soil where it will attain its most vigorous growth (up to a metre a year). Needs a full sun position and ideally not planted in a coastal setting as it needs some protection from coastal exposure. Relatively hardy and will tolerate frost. Will grow up to 30 metres with a 10 to 12 metres spread.

It has striking thick, fibrous, soft and spongey reddish-brown bark and slightly drooping branches with dark green linear needle-like leaves that are arranged in two rows. Small hanging brown cones are produced after inconspicuous flowers in the Spring.